FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS The GardenChef provides a self-contained environment that is ideal for growing herbs and micro greens. The lights pro- duce the proper spectrum and an irrigation system delivers water and nutrients to the plants. The automated system pro- vides everything the plants need to grow year round and right in the kitchen.
Be sure to retain the container for inspection. Carter-Hoffmann cannot assume liability for damage or loss incurred in transit, freight damage is not covered under war- ranty. We will, however, at your request, supply you with the necessary documents to support your claim.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS For your safety and the proper operation of this appliance, please follow these safety guidelines. This manual should remain with the GardenChef so that new owners and users learn about the product and relevant safety precautions. Carefully read through this manual before installing and using the GardenChef.
INSTALLATION AND STARTUP LOCATION WARNING: Risk of personal injury Place the cabinet on level ground so that the inside water flows evenly. Lock the front wheel caster brakes. Adjust the leveling legs so that they are on the floor. If Installation procedures must be your floor is not level, adjust the legs so that the unit is level.
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INSTALLATION AND STARTUP **IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS NEXT STEP IS WARNING: COMPLETED CORRECTLY** Risk of personal injury Installation procedures must be Pull both ends of the performed by a qualified technician with strap as show in Figure full knowledge of all applicable electrical 5, make sure that the and plumbing codes.
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START-UP Note: the cabinet must be plugged in and plumbed by a professional technician to all applicable local and state codes. When you plug the unit in, it will turn on and you will see the startup screen (A). The unit runs diagnostics and start-up functions while this screen is visible.
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START UP(continued) CALIBRATE THE pH SENSOR Remove the lower grow drawer(s) to access the reservoir (Fig.1) Locate the pH sensor probe on the left side of the reservoir (Fig.2) Remove cap from the sen- Fill one cup of water, one cup of sor and gently wash the pH pH buffer #4 (Fig.
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START-UP (continued) CALIBRATE THE TDS (TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS) SENSOR (EC 1000 PPM solution required) Fig. 1 Remove the lower grow drawer(s) to access the reservoir (Fig.1) Access the Locate the TDS sensor probe on the left side of the reservoir water reservoir (Fig.2) Fill one cup of water, and one...
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START-UP (continued) PRIMING THE IRRIGATION PUMP Access reservoir (Fig. 1) Fig. 1 If present, remove the bottom grow trays Slide out drawers to access the reservoir Fill reservoir Make sure that the unit has been connected to the water and power according to local codes From the HOME screen, press SET UP, SET RESERVOIR, AUTO ON, FILL...
SETTING UP YOUR GROWING CYCLES Note: the cabinet must be plugged in and plumbed by a professional technician. Follow these steps to set up your GardenChef for the first time. Your GardenChef may have 8, 4, 2 or 1 growing zones and the home screen will show the appropriate number of zones for the model that you have.
PROGRAMMING CYCLES You can change the lighting and watering cycles for specific seeds, or new seeds that are not in the de- fault programming cycles. EDIT CYCLES From the HOME screen, press SET UP. On the SET UP SCREEN, press EDIT PLANTS. Select a plant and then the cycle will appear for that zone.
LETS GROW! TO START A GROWING CYCLE On the HOME screen, select a seed for the zone you have just planted (Fig. 1), and you will enter the screen with the settings for that zone (Fig. 2). Press the START CYCLE button and a cycle will begin. Then press the HOME button Repeat for each zone that you have planted.
LETS GROW! PLANTING & GROWING Planting and growing is easy in the GardenChef. Follow these simple instructions. See the growing guide for specific plants on the next page. Please refer to the Growing Guide and Growing Tips for successful growing and harvesting of specific plants. ...
GROWING GUIDE Seed Sowing Amount Dome On Time Grow Time Watering Harvest Yield NOTE: If sowing seeds per (germination) (harvest) Schedule¹ per Tray* multiple varieties of 10”x20” tray (soil) seeds in the same growing zone, set Amaranth 2 tsp 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 every 4 days 3 oz (95g)
GROWING DO’S AND DON’TS MAINTAIN TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY Keep the room temperature between 55°F and 90°F (13°C and 32°C), and the humidity level in the cabinet between 30 and 60%. KEEP IT CLEAN Keep your growing environment clean. Clean the reservoir, reservoir filter and growing shelves every month according to the cleaning instructions on pages 16-17.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE CLEANING THE RESERVOIR & IRRIGATION SYSTEM 1. Make sure cabinet is connected to city drain and water. If you are not hooked up to a drain and city water you will need to manually drain and fill the cabinet; if this is the case, connect the drain fitting to a hose that runs to a drain or sink.
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CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE (continued) CLEANING THE GROWING DRAWERS Clean your grow drawers between each harvest. However, keep a close eye on the environment and immediately clean any mold or organic matter. Do not use any chemically damaging or toxic cleaning products such as bleach. Do not use stainless steel cleaner on the interior of the cabinet.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE AND TIPS INSIDE THE RESERVOIR A. DRAIN, CLEAN AND FLUSH RESERVOIR (Monthly) SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE 18 B. CHANGE FILTER (30-45 days*—more often in areas with hard water; filter is washable for extended use) Locate the filter (large blue or white canister in the reservoir) and unscrew the canister clock- Filter Water circulation pump;...
REPLACING THE LIGHTS Occasionally you may need to replace a light bulb. Push up and back It is a simple process, similar to changing the bulb over notch in back of on a fish tank hood. For part number, see the list cabinet, then let front on page 26.
SANITATION AND FOOD SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS For your health and safety, please read the infor- Using Hydrogen Peroxide: mation below regarding sanitation, safe growing Soak seeds in hydrogen peroxide. Add 5 ounces of 5% and food safety. hydrogen peroxide and one ounce distilled vinegar to one quart of room temperature water.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & TROUBLESHOOTING How much soil should I put in my trays? You should fill each tray 1/2 to 3/4 full with sterile potting soil. Make sure the soil is well moistened, but not overly muddy or soupy. See Resources page 24 for some brands we have found to be high quality soils. For seeds with a shorter life cycle like pea shoots, radishes, wheatgrass (1-2 weeks), 1/2 full is adequate.
MICROGREEN PROBLEMS WHITE MOLD Identification Remedy White mold looks like a spider web crawling Make sure your trays are CLEAN be- across the surface of the growing media. It fore you plant starts out in one area in a small, wispy ball ...
RESOURCES The GardenChef comes with a starter set of domes and trays. An optional starter kit is available and in- cludes growing trays, domes, mats, sifter, TDS calibration solution, PH kit, hydrogen peroxide, 20 gallon plastic tub (for mixing/sifting soil) and measuring syringe (for adding nutrients) Many supplies, including seeds and growing media, can be found at local greenhouses and urban gar- den supply sellers.
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Plant food: Miracle Gro™ Jungle Juice™ General Hydroponics Flora Series™ Fox Farm Gringo Rasta,™ Bush Doctor™ and Hydroponic Trio™ * This is not a compete list or an endorsement of these products. Brands are trademarked and not affiliated with Carter-Hoffmann...
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REPLACEMENT PARTS & WIRING DIAGRAM GARDENCHEF COMPONENTS 120V, 4.4 A Part Number Description Part Number Description 18616-0424 power supply, 12 VDC, 120 VAC 18301-2649 3” swivel poly caster with brake 18616-0438 Isolation board 18309-0048 4” adjustable S.S. leveling leg 18603-9125 remote control harness 8 pin USB 18310-0209 22”...
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CAUTION: Use only (OEM) original equipment manufacturer replacement parts. Using unauthorized parts may cause serious injury or damage to the cabinet. Replacement parts should be installed by a qualified service technician. Contact Carter-Hoffmann with your model and serial number for replacement parts. Call: 800-323-9793 or email:...
This warranty applies only to original equipment owned and possessed by the initial purchaser and the warran- ty period begins on the date of original shipment from the CARTER-HOFFMANN factory and extends as fol- lows: to component parts and labor for 12 months; to refrigeration compressor unit for one year (limited to replacement only - not to include labor for removal, repair or replacement).
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